What's Happening
Program deadlines and event news, plus a look at what’s going on in invention education across Idaho and beyond. You’ll find national conventions, regional summits, partner programs, and the young inventors behind them.
Idaho Inventors at National Invention Convention
Young inventors represented Idaho at the 2026 National Invention Convention at The Henry Ford in Dearborn Michigan. Each of them earned the trip by advancing through a regional competition and then State Finals — months of noticing a problem, building a solution, and learning to explain it to anyone who asked. Congratulations to all of them, and to the families, teachers, and coordinators who got them there.
Vibodh Ayyapureddi took home a Global Change Award at the National Invention Convention, recognizing an invention with the potential to make a difference well beyond Idaho.
Julianna Schwam received a U.S. patent on June 5, 2026 — a remarkable milestone for a young inventor, and the result of years of work that started with an Invent Idaho entry.
Idaho Inventor Interviewed on KREM 2 TV
9 year old, Preston Britton, showcases his invention, The Energy Maker, a device he designed and built to solve a problem he had with his cell phone dying and not being able to call his parents when he arrives home from school.
Bird Aviation Museum Featured by the Bonner County Daily Bee News
Our sponsor, and friend, The Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center was featured in an article by the Bonner County Daily Bee, highlighting the work of the Museum, the value to our community, and the importance of invention.
Idaho Inventor Pitches on The Shark Tank
Duff Marx, and his mom Chloe, presented his invention, The Multi Brush, in this unaired pitch. Duff asked for $100,000 in exchange for 33% equity of their company.
Idaho Regional Competitions Featured in Local News
The Coeur d’Alene/Post Falls Press featured an article about the 2026 North Idaho Regional Invent Idaho Competition.
The Idaho State Journal featured an article about the 2026 Southeast Idaho Regional Invent Idaho Competition.